The boats will use their autonomous software to figure out which of the radar signals is the good guy and which are the threats. It can then maneuver to deal with the threats. Accelerating, slowing, and steering are auto-determined. Next step (at least the article suggests it isn’t already done) will be to install control equipment on weapons to allow them to be fired remotely by an operator.

Big ships are especially vulnerable in harbors or when in resupply. A swarm of autonomous boats would do a lot to protect the big ships like the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan in port:

9/25 – Wall Street Journal – FAA Clears Six Film Companies to Use Drones – Four additional film companies may legally use drones in film making. That is progress. Article mentions there are actually some very serious issues to deal with before thousands of drones can be turned loose in the already crowded American sky.